A little taste of New Orleans comes to San Diego via the 12th annual Gator by The Bay Festival, taking place May 10-12 at Spanish Landing Park. The celebration of Crescent City culture is expected to draw more than 6,000 people per day, serving up over 8,000 pounds of crawfish and providing all manner of entertainment, from zydeco dance lessons to Mardi Gras-style parades. The big draw is the music and, as always, organizers have put together a bill of tare and national talent, with more than 70 performers across six stages. On hand will be zydeco player Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, bluesy Norteno band, Los Fabulocos and harmonica legend James Harmon. Local favorites include Robin Henkel, Mercedes Moore, Chet and The Committee, The Bayou Brothers, Sue Palmer and dozens more. The festival’s highlight will likely be the return of bluesman Elvin Bishop, reuniting with guitarist Johnny “V” Vernazza. Now an area resident, Vernazza performed with Bishop throughout the 1970s, including work on the 1976 No. 4 hit, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.”

• Gator by the Bay: May 10–12 at Spanish Landing Park. sandiegofestival.com.